Dysbiosis, Intestinal Permeability and Immune Dysregulation
posted 12th February 2023
The influence of Dysbiosis, Intestinal Permeability and Immune Dysregulation in allergic diseases and beyond
The lining of your digestive system forms a protective barrier internally. It is a biological highway that travels from your mouth to your anus, responsible for digesting and absorbing your food to provide vital life-force giving nutrients, but also acts as our largest 'barrier' by preventing foreign substances from entering the bloodstream and reaching vulnerable tissues and organs.
A healthy gut is associated with a diverse and balanced, stable, well-functioning microbial ecosystem within. It is now widely understood that disturbance of the complex equilibrium of the gut microbiota is associated with the development of various disorders, including metabolic (like weight gain or weight loss resistance), immunologic, digestive and even psychological/behavioural disorders. Disturbances or imbalances in gut microorganism communities are frequently referred to as "dysbiosis".
What is Dysbiosis?
When the body and those pounds of non-human microbes living inside our guts (the gut microbiome), are in harmony, we are in symbiosis: a balanced, mutually beneficial relationship between us and those several hundred species of alien bugs. The gut, brain, and the rest of the body are in balance - in health, free from disease. In return for a pleasant home, these friendly organisms in our guts (often referred to as our old friends) allow us to thrive by:
■ Producing important biological chemicals like serotonin and dopamine (needed for brain function)
■ Synthesizing vitamins
■ Producing energy
■ Protecting us from carcinogenic and otherwise harmful chemicals
■ Detoxifying the body
■ Inhibiting and killing off harmful bacteria and other nasty bugs
■ Maintaining a healthy immune system
■ Providing a protective coating on the bowel walls
■ Promoting normal peristaltic action in the bowel to keep us regular
But when, as happens too often, the harmonious relationship between the body and the large colony of bacteria, yeasts, viruses, parasites etc living in our guts becomes out of balance, we are in dysbiosis.
Dysbiosis can be a result of:
■ Antibiotics - medications as well as antibiotics fed to animals we eat
■ A poor, nutrient deficient diet
■ The body's pH becoming too acidic
■ Infants born via C section birth
■ Infant formula instead of breast milk
■ Prolonged stress
■ Chronic illness
■ Birth control pills/ hormone replacement therapy
■ Chemotherapy
■ Other pharmaceuticals
Three Ways Dysbiosis Can Impact Your Gut
1.Too much of the "bad" overgrowing in the gut is the most basic imbalance. An overabundance of "bad," typically inflammatory, bacteria, or too much yeast (Candida Albicans is a particularly common and unwelcome yeast in large amounts), are two examples of overgrowth that cause dysbiosis. An unwelcome virus or parasite can also cause overgrowth imbalance.
2.Microbial undergrowth can be the culprit. It is rarer than the situation above, but sometimes a stool test result shows an under-abundance of all bacteria - good and otherwise. An under-abundance indicates we need to work on improving the terrain (the gut lining) where the flora will take residence, as well as supporting the growth of the flora we want to encourage. We do this with probiotics, prebiotics, lining supportive supplements like glutamine, and healthy, bacteria-supportive foods.
3.Your microbiome settles in the wrong place. Living microbes are wanted, but we need them to live where they belong, and not take up residence in places where they cause problems. Most frequently, this type of dysbiosis is SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth). SIBO occurs when the gastrointestinal microbiome has shifted from primarily growing and thriving in the large intestines (the colon) to taking up residence in the small intestine in too great a number. This tends to cause digestive problems and bloating, but can be silent as well. Herbs and antibiotics are our go-to for treating SIBO.
Conditions Influenced by microbiome
"Poor gut health" might bring to mind intestinal and digestive disorders including inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and coeliac disease symptoms — but these are far from the only problems tied to dysbiosis. Studies show that dysbiosis of the microbiome is associated numerous disorders that affect us internally (which may not always be obvious) and externally (affecting us in more apparent ways, such as changing the appearance of our skin and body weight).
A lack of healthy gut bacteria is now linked to conditions like:
- Food allergies
- Digestive disorders - diagnosed IBS
- Asthma
- Diabetes
- Arthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- Eczema and psoriasis
- Poor recovery from seizures, spinal cord injuries or a stroke
- Metabolic syndrome, weight loss resistance and cardiovascular diseases
Immune barrier integrity (aka leaky gut or intestinal permeability)
In a normal, healthy gut lining there are epithelial cells forming tight junctions that allow certain molecules to pass across into the bloodstream, such as vitamins, minerals and digested food in the form of amino acids, glucose and some fatty acids. However, it also acts as a barrier preventing entry to larger damaging molecules, foreign particles and bacteria.
This intestinal lining is very delicate and can be easily damaged by poorly digested foods, some proteins (such as gluten), medications (especially antibiotics and NSAIDs), nutritional deficiencies (zinc, vitamin D and A), microbiome disruption (dysbiosis) and inflammatory food triggers.
When there is damage to this lining, it can open up slightly, causing a condition called "leaky gut" or Intestinal permeability. This allows partially digested foods, toxins, and bacteria to enter into the bloodstream and thus be presented to the immune system just beyond the gut wall. Resulting symptoms are persistent inflammation, irritation, possible autoimmune attacks, pain, digestive discomfort and food intolerances, all of which are a result of a now dysregulated immune system.
There are natural ways to restore barrier function and gently modulate the immune system with nutrition, lifestyle changes and specially designed supplements.
Love,
TK
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